Elton Brand adds concern for Celtics

Friday

Nov 28, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 28, 2008 at 1:35 AM

Mike Fine

After losing three of four games to the Philadelphia 76ers two seasons ago, the Boston Celtics seemed to right themselves last season, winning three of four. But they approach the Sixers with an increased wariness this season.

When the Sixers come to the Garden tonight, they’ll be arriving with their prized new acquisition, Elton Brand, who gives them a new dimension on the post and out on the floor, and with point guard Andre Miller having settled in, the 7-8 Sixers present some unique challenges.

Brand, the former Clipper who signed a five-year, $79.8 million free agent contract last summer, still doesn’t seem to have hit his stride – he’s averaging 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds – but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t instill fear.

“He’s not only a 4 that can score but a 4 that can be defensive,” said Kevin Garnett, who’ll likely be matched up with the 6-8, 275-pounder. “He gives them a different dimension.”

It’s safe to say that Brand, with Miller getting him the ball, has changed the face of the Sixers.

“Philly’s more power ball,” coach Doc Rivers said. “They’re athletic as heck. They have Elton Brand now, and they’re going to go down low and play pick and roll. The problems we’ve had with Philly in the past … last year we struggled with them because of the Andre Miller problem … at the point, with his size. I think (Rajon) Rondo’s better suited to handle that this year, and so he’s going to have to.”

Rondo, of course, is coming off one of his best games of the season, 22 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, against Golden State Wednesday, but he could cancel out Miller, the veteran who’s averaging 14.4 points and 5.8 assists.

What the Celtics have to do is cancel out the Sixers running game, in which players such as Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Samuel Dalembert can streak up court.

“A lot of people don’t talk about it, but Thaddeus Young is having an exceptional year,” Garnett said. “He’s hitting 3s (17-for-46), he’s been able to come off picks and they give him shots and he’s aggressive. In some of the games I’ve seen where they win, it’s because he’s playing really well. Andre Miller’s Andre Miller but they’re gonna play hard. They’re going to crash the boards, but having that range from 4 makes them a little more multi-dimensional. They’re able to pick and pop, and Andre Miller can string out the defense a little bit and Elton can hit up to 19-foot jumpers. So our work’s cut out for us.”

“I’ve had a chance to watch Philly,” Paul Pierce said. “I think they ran a lot more last year than this year. I just think they’re good in transition when you’ve got Iguodala, but I think they added Brand to the dimension and they’re more built for the playoffs. They have early struggles. I think they’re a better team than their record has really shown. Definitely, they’re capable of scoring a hundred points. We got our work cut out for us again defensively. I don’t think they’re quite the team Golden State is, but definitely talented and they have a couple of All-Stars that we have to be concerned about.”

The Sixers are coming off a narrow loss to Orlando, not to mention a disappointing loss at Charlotte, but they’d won five of six prior to that, but at this time last year they were 5-10.

Last season, the Celtics dominated, Before their March 24 loss, they averaged 109.7 points in their first three victories, while Garnett, Pierce and Ray Allen shot 57.8 percent from the floor. The Celtics outshot the Sixers, 55.0-43.6 percent, but the Sixers weren’t exactly overpowered. Iguodala averaged a series-high 21.5 points on 48.5 percent shooting, Miller averaged 20.0 points and Dalembert averaged 10.3 rebounds.

Only three teams have outrebounded the Sixers, who have gone with the same starting lineup in every game: Brand, Young, Dalembert, Iguodala, Miller.

Mike Fine may be reached at mikefine@ledger.com.

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